Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii

Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii is one of the most beloved Marian devotions in modern Catholic history, closely associated with the power of the Rosary and conversion of heart. The shrine is located in Pompeii, Italy, a place once marked by spiritual neglect and poverty after the famous ancient city’s destruction. In the late 19th century, Pompeii became a center of Marian devotion through the efforts of Blessed Bartolo Longo, a former skeptic who experienced a profound conversion and dedicated his life to spreading the Rosary.

The devotion began when Bartolo Longo promoted an image of Our Lady of the Rosary, depicting the Virgin Mary giving the Rosary to Saint Dominic and Child Jesus offering it to Saint Catherine of Siena. This image became the heart of the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii. Through prayer, catechesis, and charity, Longo helped revive the faith of the local population, showing how devotion to Mary always leads souls back to Christ.

Our Lady of Pompeii is especially known for the “Supplication to Our Lady of the Rosary,” a powerful prayer traditionally recited twice a year, on May 8 and October 7. Countless faithful have testified to spiritual and temporal graces received through this supplication, strengthening the belief that the Rosary is a profound instrument of peace, conversion, and hope. The devotion emphasizes trust in Mary’s intercession and perseverance in prayer, even in difficult circumstances.

Today, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii is a major pilgrimage site, drawing Catholics from around the world. It stands as a living testimony to how devotion to the Rosary can transform individuals and entire communities. Our Lady of Pompeii reminds the faithful that no soul is beyond God’s mercy and that through Mary’s guidance, the Rosary remains a powerful path toward renewal, faith, and deeper union with Christ.